Liberia Trip March 2008
From February 27 – March 7, 2008, Inclusive Security traveled to Liberia to:
Our partner project with CHF was launched on "Inspiration Day" on March 4. We brought together local women leaders and national women parliamentarians to discuss the importance of women’s leadership and strategies for overcoming challenges to their political participation. CHF will follow Inspiration Day with a series of workshops to build the leadership and campaigning skills of participants.
Inspiration Day
Inspiration Day on March 4, 2008 kicked off Inclusive Security’s partnership with CHF International to increase the number of women in local government in Voinjama District of Lofa County, Liberia. This pilot project, known as FEMWISE, is modeled after a similar program in Rwanda undertaken in conjunction with the Rwandan Association of Local Government Authorities. A key component of this model is mentoring of local community women leaders by experienced elected women who inspire and encourage them to run for office. Inclusive Security also worked with the Liberian parliamentary women’s caucus to coordinate the participation of Honorable Representatives Victoria Lynch and Regina Teah, both members of The Women Waging Peace Network.
Inspiration Day participants were women leaders who can carry the training messages back to women in their communities. Even though only 30 communities were targeted to attend Inspiration Day, additional communities learned of the program and sent women leaders to attend. More than 100 women were present and all the clans in Lofa were represented. Notable participants also included representatives from the UN Mission in Liberia, local radio broadcasters, the Voinjama District commissioner, and representatives from several local NGOs.